Cartridges for Vaporizer Devices

ABSTRACT

Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir housing having at least one inner container that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, and a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir housing and including at least one wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the at least one inner container to the vaporization chamber to be vaporized by a heating element, in which the at least one inner container is substantially sealed to the at least one wicking element, and wherein the at least one inner container is configured to collapse as the vaporizable material is withdrawn therefrom. Vaporizer devices are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/745,745 filed on Oct. 15, 2018, and entitled “Cartridges ForVaporizer Devices,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices,including vaporizer cartridges.

BACKGROUND

Vaporizer devices, which can also be referred to as vaporizers,electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used fordelivery of an aerosol (for example, a vapor-phase and/orcondensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of airor some other gas carrier) containing one or more active ingredients byinhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device. Forexample, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class ofvaporizer devices that are battery powered and that can be used tosimulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco orother substances. Vaporizer devices are gaining increasing popularityboth for prescriptive medical use, in delivering medicaments, and forconsumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials.Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and/or convenient foruse.

In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, colloquiallyreferred to as “vapor,” which can be generated by a heating element thatvaporizes (e.g., causes a liquid or solid to at least partiallytransition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which can beliquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and/or any other formcompatible for use with a specific vaporizer device. The vaporizablematerial used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridgefor example, a separable part of the vaporizer device that containsvaporizable material) that includes an outlet (for example, amouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by a user.

To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a usermay, in certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking apuff, by pressing a button, and/or by some other approach. A puff asused herein can refer to inhalation by the user in a manner that causesa volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that theinhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of the vaporizedvaporizable material with the volume of air.

An approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosolfrom a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material ina vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizablematerial to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporizationchamber can refer to an area or volume in the vaporizer device withinwhich a heat source (for example, a conductive, convective, and/orradiative heat source) causes heating of a vaporizable material toproduce a mixture of air and vaporized material to form a vapor forinhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporizationdevice.

Vaporizer devices can be controlled by one or more controllers,electronic circuits (for example, sensors, heating elements), and/or thelike on the vaporizer device. Vaporizer devices can also wirelesslycommunicate with an external controller for example, a computing devicesuch as a smartphone).

In some implementations, the vaporizable material can be drawn out of areservoir and into the vaporization chamber via a wicking element (e.g.,a wick). Drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporizationchamber can be at least partially due to capillary action provided bythe wick as the wick pulls the vaporizable material along the wick inthe direction of the vaporization chamber. However, as vaporizablematerial is drawn out of the reservoir, the pressure inside thereservoir is reduced, thereby creating a vacuum and acting against thecapillary action. This can reduce the effectiveness of the wick to drawthe vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber, thereby reducingthe effectiveness of the vaporization device to vaporize a desiredamount of vaporizable material, such as when a user takes a puff on thevaporizer device. Furthermore, the vacuum created in the reservoir canultimately result in the inability to draw all of the vaporizablematerial into the vaporization chamber, thereby wasting vaporizablematerial. As such, improved vaporization devices and/or vaporizationcartridges that improve upon or overcome these issues is desired.

SUMMARY

In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associatedwith the creation of headspace within the reservoir can be addressed byinclusion of one or more of the features described herein orcomparable/equivalent approaches as would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the current subject matter relateto vaporizer devices and to cartridges for use in a vaporizer device.

In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionallybe included in any feasible combination.

In one exemplary embodiment, a cartridge for a vaporizer device isprovided and includes a reservoir housing having at least one innercontainer that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, and avaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir housing. Thevaporization chamber includes at least one wicking element that isconfigured to draw the vaporizable material from the at least one innercontainer to the vaporization chamber to be vaporized by a heatingelement; in which the at least one inner container is substantiallysealed to the at least one wicking element, and the at least one innercontainer is configured to collapse as the vaporizable material iswithdrawn therefrom.

In some embodiments, the collapsing of the at least one inner containercan substantially prevent a headspace vacuum from forming as thevaporizable material is being withdrawn from the at least one innercontainer.

In some embodiments, the cartridge can include at least one ventextending through a wall of the reservoir housing, the at least one ventallowing ambient air to pass therethrough and into the reservoir housingsuch that a pressure equilibrium can be substantially maintained withinthe reservoir housing as the vaporizable material is being withdrawnfrom the at least one inner container.

The vaporization chamber can have a variety of configurations. Forexample, in some embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be defined byat least one sidewall of the reservoir housing. In other embodiments,the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least one wall that iscoated with or formed of a hydrophobic material. In yet otherembodiments, the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least onewall that can be configured to allow at least a portion of airflow topass therethrough and into the vaporization chamber.

The wicking element can have a variety of configurations. For example,in some embodiments, the wicking element can be formed of one or moreporous materials.

The reservoir housing can have a variety of configurations. In someembodiments, the reservoir housing can include a first reservoir chamberand a second reservoir chamber, in which each chamber can have at leastone of the at least one inner container disposed therein. In suchembodiments, the vaporization chamber can be positioned between thefirst reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device is provided andinclude a vaporizer body and a cartridge that is selectively coupled toand removable from the vaporizer body. The cartridge includes areservoir housing having at least one inner container that is configuredto hold a vaporizable material, and a vaporization chamber incommunication with the reservoir housing. The vaporization chamberincludes at least one wicking element configured to draw the vaporizablematerial from the at least one inner container to the vaporizationchamber to be vaporized by a heating element, in which the at least oneinner container is substantially sealed to the at least one wickingelement, and the at least one inner container is configured to collapseas the vaporizable material is withdrawn therefrom.

The vaporizer body can have a variety of configurations. For example, insome embodiments, the vaporizer body can include a power source.

In some embodiments, the collapsing of the at least one inner containercan substantially prevent a headspace vacuum from forming as thevaporizable material is being withdrawn from the at least one innercontainer.

In some embodiments, the cartridge can include at least one ventextending through a wall of the reservoir housing, the at least one ventallowing ambient air to pass therethrough and into the reservoir housingsuch that a pressure equilibrium can be substantially maintained withinthe reservoir housing as the vaporizable material is being withdrawnfrom the at least one inner container.

The vaporization chamber can have a variety of configurations. Forexample, in some embodiments, the vaporization chamber can be defined byat least one sidewall of the reservoir housing. In other embodiments,the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least one wall that iscoated with or formed of a hydrophobic material. In yet otherembodiments, the vaporization chamber can be defined by at least onewall that can be configured to allow at least a portion of airflow topass therethrough and into the vaporization chamber.

The wicking element can have a variety of configurations. For example,in some embodiments, the wicking element can be formed of one or moreporous materials.

The reservoir housing can have a variety of configurations. In someembodiments, the reservoir housing can include a first reservoir chamberand a second reservoir chamber, each of which having at least one innercontainer disposed therein. In such embodiments, the vaporizationchamber can be positioned between the first reservoir chamber and secondreservoir chamber.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to definethe scope of the protected subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matterdisclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain someof the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a vaporizer device;

FIG. 1B is a top view of an embodiment of a vaporizer device, showing avaporizer cartridge separated from a vaporizer device body;

FIG. 1C is a top view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 1B, showing thevaporizer cartridge coupled to the vaporizer device body;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1F is another perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG.1E;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of another embodiment of a vaporizercartridge; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of another embodiment of a vaporizercartridge.

When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures,features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the current subject matter include methods,apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and systems relating tovaporization of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Exampleimplementations include vaporizer devices and systems includingvaporizer devices. The term “vaporizer device” as used in the followingdescription and claims refers to any of a self-contained apparatus, anapparatus that includes two or more separable parts (for example, avaporizer body that includes a battery and other hardware, and acartridge that includes a vaporizable material), and/or the like. A“vaporizer system,” as used herein, can include one or more components,such as a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistentwith implementations of the current subject matter include electronicvaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and/or thelike. In general, such vaporizer devices are hand-held devices that heat(such as by convection, conduction, radiation, and/or some combinationthereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of thematerial.

The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be providedwithin a cartridge (for example, a part of the vaporizer device thatcontains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container)which can be refillable when empty, or disposable such that a newcartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same ordifferent type can be used). A vaporizer device can be a cartridge-usingvaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a multi-usevaporizer device capable of use with or without a cartridge. Forexample, a vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (for example,an oven or other region in which material is heated by a heatingelement) configured to receive a vaporizable material directly into theheating chamber, and/or a reservoir or the like for containing thevaporizable material.

In some implementations, a vaporizer device can be configured for usewith a liquid vaporizable material (for example, a carrier solution inwhich an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held insolution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself). Theliquid vaporizable material can be capable of being completelyvaporized. Alternatively, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizablematerial can remain after all of the material suitable for inhalationhas been vaporized.

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 1A, a vaporizer device 100 caninclude a power source 112 (for example, a battery, which can be arechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (for example, a processor,circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery ofheat to an atomizer 141 to cause a vaporizable material 102 to beconverted from a condensed form (such as a liquid, a solution, asuspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material,etc.) to the gas phase. The controller 104 can be part of one or moreprinted circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations ofthe current subject matter.

After conversion of the vaporizable material 102 to the gas phase, atleast some of the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase can condenseto form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium withthe gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of aninhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 100 during a user's puffor draw on the vaporizer device 100. It should be appreciated that theinterplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by avaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such asambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions inairflow paths (both inside the vaporizer device and in the airways of ahuman or other animal), and/or mixing of the vaporizable material 102 inthe gas phase or in the aerosol phase with other air streams, which canaffect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizerdevices, and particularly for vaporizer devices configured for deliveryof volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can existpredominantly in the gas phase (for example, formation of condensedphase particles can be very limited).

The atomizer 141 in the vaporizer device 100 can be configured tovaporize a vaporizable material 102. The vaporizable material 102 can bea liquid. Examples of the vaporizable material 102 include neat liquids,suspensions, solutions, mixtures, and/or the like. The atomizer 141 caninclude a wicking element (i.e., a wick) configured to convey an amountof the vaporizable material 102 to a part of the atomizer 141 thatincludes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1A).

For example, the wicking element can be configured to draw thevaporizable material 102 from a reservoir 140 configured to contain thevaporizable material 102, such that the vaporizable material 102 can bevaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking elementcan also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 140 and replace thevolume of vaporizable material 102 removed. In some implementations ofthe current subject matter, capillary action can pull vaporizablematerial 102 into the wick for vaporization by the heating element, andair can return to the reservoir 140 through the wick to at leastpartially equalize pressure in the reservoir 140. Other methods ofallowing air back into the reservoir 140 to equalize pressure are alsowithin the scope of the current subject matter.

As used herein, the terms “wick” or “wicking element” include anymaterial capable of causing fluid motion via capillary pressure.

The heating element can include one or more of a conductive heater, aradiative heater, and/or a convective heater. One type of heatingelement is a resistive heating element, which can include a material(such as a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-chromium alloy, or anon-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in theform of heat when electrical current is passed through one or moreresistive segments of the heating element. In some implementations ofthe current subject matter, the atomizer 141 can include a heatingelement which includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrappedaround, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed intothermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to a wickingelement, to cause the vaporizable material 102 drawn from the reservoir140 by the wicking element to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation bya user in a gas and/or a condensed (for example, aerosol particles ordroplets) phase. Other wicking elements, heating elements, and/oratomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

Certain vaporizer devices may, additionally or alternatively, beconfigured to create an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102in the gas phase and/or aerosol phase via heating of the vaporizablematerial 102. The vaporizable material 102 can be a solid-phase material(such as a wax or the like) or plant material (for example, tobaccoleaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves). In such vaporizer devices, aresistive heating element can be part of, or otherwise incorporated intoor in thermal contact with, the walls of an oven or other heatingchamber into which the vaporizable material 102 is placed.Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements can be used toheat air passing through or past the vaporizable material 102, to causeconvective heating of the vaporizable material 102. In still otherexamples, a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed inintimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heatingof the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material,as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven.

The heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing(i.e., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizerdevice 100 to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow paththat passes the atomizer 141 (i.e., wicking element and heatingelement). Optionally, air can flow from an air inlet through one or morecondensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece 130.Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves over or through theatomizer 141, where vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase isentrained into the air. The heating element can be activated via thecontroller 104, which can optionally be a part of a vaporizer body 110as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the power source 112through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which isoptionally part of a vaporizer cartridge 120 as discussed herein. Asnoted herein, the entrained vaporizable material 102 in the gas phasecan condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path suchthat an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102 in an aerosolform can be delivered from the air outlet (for example, the mouthpiece130) for inhalation by a user.

Activation of the heating element can be caused by automatic detectionof a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more of asensor 113. The sensor 113 and the signals generated by the sensor 113can include one or more of: a pressure sensor or sensors disposed todetect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (oroptionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor orsensors (for example, an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device 100, aflow sensor or sensors of the vaporizer device 100, a capacitive lipsensor of the vaporizer device 100, detection of interaction of a userwith the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116 (forexample, buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizerdevice 100), receipt of signals from a computing device in communicationwith the vaporizer device 100, and/or via other approaches fordetermining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

As discussed herein, the vaporizer device 100 consistent withimplementations of the current subject matter can be configured toconnect (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) toa computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communicationwith the vaporizer device 100. To this end, the controller 104 caninclude communication hardware 105. The controller 104 can also includea memory 108. The communication hardware 105 can include firmware and/orcan be controlled by software for executing one or more cryptographicprotocols for the communication.

A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that alsoincludes the vaporizer device 100, and can include its own hardware forcommunication, which can establish a wireless communication channel withthe communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer device 100. For example,a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system can include ageneral-purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, a tablet, apersonal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, orthe like) that executes software to produce a user interface forenabling a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100. In otherimplementations of the current subject matter, such a device used aspart of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such asa remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or morephysical or soft (i.e., configurable on a screen or other display deviceand selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen orsome other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursorbuttons, or the like) interface controls. The vaporizer device 100 canalso include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providinginformation to the user. For example, the outputs 117 can include one ormore light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to auser based on a status and/or mode of operation of the vaporizer device100.

In the example in which a computing device provides signals related toactivation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples ofcoupling of a computing device with the vaporizer device 100 forimplementation of various control or other functions, the computingdevice executes one or more computer instruction sets to provide a userinterface and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by thecomputing device of user interaction with one or more user interfaceelements can cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer device100 to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperaturefor creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions ofthe vaporizer device 100 can be controlled by interaction of a user witha user interface on a computing device in communication with thevaporizer device 100.

The temperature of a resistive heating element of the vaporizer device100 can depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electricalpower delivered to the resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle atwhich the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer toother parts of the electronic vaporizer device 100 and/or to theenvironment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizablematerial 102 from the wicking element and/or the atomizer 141 as awhole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (i.e., air movingacross the heating element or the atomizer 141 as a whole when a userinhales on the vaporizer device 100). As noted herein, to reliablyactivate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desiredtemperature, the vaporizer device 100 may, in some implementations ofthe current subject matter, make use of signals from the sensor 113 (forexample, a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. Thesensor 113 can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected(for example, by a passageway or other path) to an airflow pathcontaining an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and anoutlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosolsuch that the sensor 113 experiences changes (for example, pressurechanges) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device 100from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of thecurrent subject matter, the heating element can be activated inassociation with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection ofthe puff, or by the sensor 113 detecting a change (.such as a pressurechange) in the airflow path.

The sensor 113 can be positioned on or coupled to (i.e., electrically orelectronically connected, either physically or via a wirelessconnection) the controller 104 (for example, a printed circuit boardassembly or other type of circuit board). To take measurementsaccurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device 100, it canbe beneficial to provide a seal 127 resilient enough to separate anairflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device 100. The seal 127,which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surroundthe sensor 113 such that connections of the sensor 113 to the internalcircuitry of the vaporizer device 100 are separated from a part of thesensor 113 exposed to the airflow path. In an example of acartridge-based vaporizer device, the seal 127 can also separate partsof one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 andthe vaporizer cartridge 120. Such arrangements of the seal 127 in thevaporizer device 100 can be helpful in mitigating against potentiallydisruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactionswith environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases,other fluids such as the vaporizable material 102, etc., and/or toreduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in thevaporizer device 100. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/orcontacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can cause variousunwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can resultin the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excessvaporizable material 102, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 100where they can result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor113 or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device100. Leaks in the seal 127 can also result in a user inhaling air thathas passed over parts of the vaporizer device 100 containing, orconstructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.

In some implementations, the vaporizer body 110 includes the controller104, the power source 112 (for example, a battery), one more of thesensor 113, charging contacts (such as those for charging the powersource 112), the seal 127, and a cartridge receptacle 118 configured toreceive the vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the vaporizer body110 through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In someexamples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes the reservoir 140 forcontaining the vaporizable material 102, and the mouthpiece 130 has anaerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizercartridge 120 can include the atomizer 141 having a wicking element anda heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element andthe heating element can be part of the vaporizer body 110. Inimplementations in which any part of the atomizer 141 (i.e., heatingelement and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 110, thevaporizer device 100 can be configured to supply vaporizable material102 from the reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the part(s)of the atomizer 141 included in the vaporizer body 110.

In an embodiment of the vaporizer device 100 in which the power source112 is part of the vaporizer body 110, and a heating element is disposedin the vaporizer cartridge 120 and configured to couple with thevaporizer body 110, the vaporizer device 100 can include electricalconnection features (for example, means for completing a circuit) forcompleting a circuit that includes the controller 104 (for example, aprinted circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source112, and the heating element (for example, a heating element within theatomizer 141). These features can include one or more contacts (referredto herein as cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b) on a bottom surface ofthe vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (referred toherein as receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b) disposed near a base ofthe cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer device 100 such that thecartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and125 b make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 120 isinserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118. The circuitcompleted by these electrical connections can allow delivery ofelectrical current to a heating element and can further be used foradditional functions, such as measuring a resistance of the heatingelement for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of theheating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of theheating element.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, the cartridgecontacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b canbe configured to electrically connect in either of at least twoorientations. In other words, one or more circuits necessary foroperation of the vaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion ofthe vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a firstrotational orientation (around an axis along which the vaporizercartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of thevaporizer body 110) such that the cartridge contact 124 a iselectrically connected to the receptacle contact 125 a and the cartridgecontact 124 b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125 b.Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of thevaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion of the vaporizercartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotationalorientation such cartridge contact 124 a is electrically connected tothe receptacle contact 125 b and cartridge contact 124 b is electricallyconnected to the receptacle contact 125 a.

For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 or at least the insertable end122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be symmetrical upon a rotation of180° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is insertedinto the cartridge receptacle 118. In such a configuration, thecircuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can support identical operationregardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge120 occurs.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizercartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 includesone or more detents (for example, dimples, protrusions, etc.) protrudinginwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118,additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include aportion protruding into the cartridge receptacle 118, and/or the like.One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can includecorresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1A) that can fit and/orotherwise snap over such detents or protruding portions when thevaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 onthe vaporizer body 110. When the vaporizer cartridge 120 and thevaporizer body 110 are coupled (e.g., by insertion of the vaporizercartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body110), the detents or protrusions of the vaporizer body 110 can fitwithin and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizercartridge 120, to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place whenassembled. Such an assembly can provide enough support to hold thevaporizer cartridge 120 in place to ensure good contact between thecartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and125 b, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge 120 from thevaporizer body 110 when a user pulls with reasonable force on thevaporizer cartridge 120 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 fromthe cartridge receptacle 118.

In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least aninsertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 configured forinsertion in the cartridge receptacle 118, can have a non-circular crosssection transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, thenon-circular cross section can be approximately rectangular,approximately elliptical (i.e., have an approximately oval shape),non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallelopposing sides (i.e., having a parallelogram-like shape), or othershapes having rotational symmetry of at least order two. In thiscontext, approximate shape indicates that a basic likeness to thedescribed shape is apparent, but that sides of the shape in questionneed not be completely linear and vertices need not be completely sharp.Rounding of both or either of the edges or the vertices of thecross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of anynon-circular cross section referred to herein.

The cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 aand 125 b can take various forms. For example, one or both sets ofcontacts can include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes forpins or posts, or the like. Some types of contacts can include springsor other features to facilitate better physical and electrical contactbetween the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizerbody 110. The electrical contacts can optionally be gold-plated, and/orinclude other materials.

FIGS. 1B-1D illustrate an embodiment of the vaporizer body 110 having acartridge receptacle 118 into which the vaporizer cartridge 120 can bereleasably inserted. FIGS. 1B and 1C show top views of the vaporizationdevice 100 illustrating the vaporizer cartridge 120 being positioned forinsertion and inserted, respectively, into the vaporizer body 110. FIG.1D illustrates the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 beingformed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a levelof the vaporizable material 102 is visible from a window 132 (e.g.,translucent material) along the vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporizercartridge 120 can be configured such that the window 132 remains visiblewhen insertably received by the vaporizer cartridge receptacle 118 ofthe vaporizer body 110. For example, in one exemplary configuration, thewindow 132 can be disposed between a bottom edge of the mouthpiece 130and a top edge of the vaporizer body 110 when the vaporizer cartridge120 is coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118.

FIGS. 1E illustrates an example airflow path 134 created during a puffby a user on the vaporizer device 100. The airflow path 134 can directair to a vaporization chamber 150 (see FIG. 1F) contained in a wickhousing where the air is combined with inhalable aerosol for delivery toa user via a mouthpiece 130, which can also be part of the vaporizercartridge 120. For example, when a user puffs on the vaporizer device100 device 100, air can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizercartridge 120 (for example, window 132 shown in FIG. 1D) and an innersurface of the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. Aircan then be drawn into the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge120, through the vaporization chamber 150 that includes or contains theheating element and wick, and out through an outlet 136 of themouthpiece 130 for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user.

As shown in FIG. 1E, this configuration causes air to flow down aroundthe insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridgereceptacle 118 and then flow back in the opposite direction afterpassing around the insertable end 122 (e.g., an end opposite of the endincluding the mouthpiece 130) of the vaporizer cartridge 120 as itenters into the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber 150. Theairflow path 134 then travels through the interior of the vaporizercartridge 120, for example via one or more tubes or internal channels(such as cannula 128 shown in FIG. 1F) and through one or more outlets(such as outlet 136) formed in the mouthpiece 130. The mouthpiece 130can be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge 120 or can beintegrally formed with other component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge 120(for example, formed as a unitary structure with the reservoir 140and/or the like).

FIG. 1F shows additional features that can be included in the vaporizercartridge 120 consistent with implementations of the current subjectmatter. For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a pluralityof cartridge contacts (such as cartridge contacts 124 a, 124 b) disposedon the insertable end 122. The cartridge contacts 124 a, 124 b canoptionally each be part of a single piece of metal that forms aconductive structure (such as conductive structure 126) connected to oneof two ends of a resistive heating element. The conductive structure canoptionally form opposing sides of a heating chamber and can act as heatshields and/or heat sinks to reduce transmission of heat to outer wallsof the vaporizer cartridge 120. FIG. 1F also shows the cannula 128within the vaporizer cartridge 120 that defines part of the airflow path134 between the heating chamber formed between the conductive structure126 and the mouthpiece 130.

As mentioned above, a vacuum can be created in the reservoir 140 whenthe vaporizable material 102 is pulled from the reservoir. The presenceof the vacuum in the reservoir 140 can reduce or prevent the capillaryaction provided by the wick. This can reduce the effectiveness of thewick to draw the vaporizable material 102 into the vaporization chamber150, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporizer device 100 tovaporize a desired amount of the vaporizable material 102, such as whena user takes a puff on the vaporizer device 100. Furthermore, the vacuumcreated in the reservoir 140 can ultimately result in the inability todraw all of the vaporizable material 102 into the vaporization chamber150, thereby wasting vaporizable material. Various features and devicesare described below that improve upon or overcome these issues. Forexample, various features are described herein for inhibiting a vacuumfrom being created in a reservoir housing as a vaporizable material iswithdrawn therefrom and into a vaporization chamber in a vaporizerdevice. Avoiding creating a vacuum can provide advantages andimprovements relative to existing approaches, while also introducingadditional benefits as described herein. As used herein, “reservoirhousing” is used synonymously with “reservoir.”

The vaporizer cartridges described herein allow a vaporizable materialto be drawn out of a reservoir housing of the vaporizing device using atleast one wicking element (e.g., a wick) while reducing headspace thatacts against the capillary action of the wicking element. The vaporizercartridges generally include a reservoir housing having at least oneinner container that is configured to hold a vaporizable material. Asdiscussed in more detail below, the at least one inner container isconfigured to collapse or deform as the vaporizable material is drawninto the at least one wicking material such that the pressure within theat least one inner container remains substantially constant. That is, asthe at least one wicking element draws the vaporizable material out ofthe at least one inner container, the volume of the at least one innercontainer decreases, thereby substantially preventing the creation of aheadspace vacuum. As such, the at least one wicking element can moreeffectively draw out the vaporizable material from the reservoirhousing, resulting in greater saturation. The greater the saturation ofthe at least one wicking element, the more effective the vaporizerdevice can be in vaporizing a desired amount of vaporizable material.Further, the at least one inner container is substantially sealed to theat least one wicking element to prevent undesirable leakage of thevaporizable material. This seal promotes the vaporizable material to besubstantially dispensed only through the at least one wicking element.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary vaporizer cartridge 200 that can beselectively coupled to and removable from a vaporizer body, such asvaporizer body 110 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D). More specifically, thevaporizer cartridge 200 includes an inner container 202 that isconfigured to collapse, and consequently, decrease in volume, as avaporizable material 206 is drawn therefrom, for example concurrent withand/or after a user puffs on a mouthpiece 230 coupled with the vaporizercartridge 200.

As shown, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes a reservoir housing 204and a vaporization chamber 208 with a wicking element 210 extendingtherebetween. The reservoir housing 204 has an inner volume defined byreservoir walls 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, and 204 d. The reservoir housing204 includes the inner container 202, which holds the vaporizablematerial 206.

The reservoir housing 204 can be formed of a material and/or in astructural configuration having more rigidity as compared to the innercontainer 202. As such, the reservoir housing 204 can also protect theinner container 202 from being damaged. For example, the reservoirhousing 204 and the inner container 202 can serve as two lines ofdefense against undesirable leakage of the vaporizable material 206 tothe environment and/or to other portions of the vaporizer cartridge 200,such as the portion of the mouthpiece 230 where a user applies his orher lips.

While the reservoir housing 204 and the inner container 202 can have avariety of shapes and configurations, the reservoir housing 204 and theinner container 202, as shown in FIG. 2, can each have a substantiallyrectangular shape. In other embodiments, the inner container 202 canhave a different shape than that of the reservoir housing 204. Further,an initial volume of the inner container 202 can be substantially equalto the inner volume of the reservoir housing 204. As such, the size andshape of the inner container 202, and thus, the amount of vaporizablematerial 206 disposed therein, is dependent at least in part on the sizeand shape of the reservoir housing 204.

In general, as discussed above, the inner container 202 is configured tocollapse as the vaporizable material 206 is drawn out of the innercontainer 202 and into the wicking element 210. As a result, the volumeof the inner container 202 decreases as the volume of vaporizablematerial 206 decreases. This decrease in volume of the inner container202can substantially prevent a headspace vacuum from forming within theinner container 202. This allows the capillary action of the wickingelement 210 to effectively draw vaporizable material 206 from thereservoir housing 204 and into the vaporization chamber 208 after eachpuff on the mouthpiece 230 by the user.

As shown, the inner container 202 is substantially sealed to the wickingelement 210 at an interface 212. As a result, the removal of thevaporizable material 206 from the inner container 202 occurs primarily,if not completely, through the wicking element 210, thereby increaseleak tightness therebetween. That is, substantially sealing the innercontainer 202 to the wicking element 210 can help prevent leakage ofvaporizable material to the environment and/or to other portions of thevaporizer cartridge, such as the portion of the mouthpiece 230 where auser applies his or her lips. Any suitable method can be used to sealthe inner container 202 to the wicking element 210, for example, by wayof heat sealing and the like.

The inner container 202 can have a variety of configurations. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner container 202 has a pouchconfiguration. The inner container 202 can be formed of a flexiblematerial. Any flexible material that can reduce in size (decrease involume within the reservoir housing 204) as the vaporizable material 206is withdrawn from the inner container 202 can be used. For example, theflexible material can be an elastic material that expands to a stretchedstate when a volume of vaporizable material 206 is disposed therein andreturns to a collapsed state as the volume of the vaporizable material206 is drawn out. Non-limiting examples of suitable flexible materialsinclude elastomers and the like. The flexible material can be a singleor multi-layered structure. The flexible material can also benon-permeable to air thereby inhibiting air within the reservoir housing204 from entering the inner container 202 and replacing the volume ofthe withdrawn vaporizable material 206. Alternatively, or in addition,the flexible material can be coated with a non-permeable coating. Othersuitable structural configurations of the inner container 202 are alsocontemplated herein.

In use, as the volume of the inner container 202 decreases, negativepressure can be created in the reservoir housing 204. This negativepressure can exert a pulling force on the inner container 202 that drawsthe inner container 202 in an outward direction relative to the wickingelement 210, which can therefore hinder the ability of the innercontainer 202 to collapse. To eliminate or reduce this negativepressure, the pressure within reservoir housing 204 can be increased asthe inner container 202 collapses. For example, the vaporizer cartridge200 can include at least one vent 214 that is configured to selectivelyallow the passage of air into the reservoir housing 204 from theenvironment to thereby substantially maintain an inner pressure (e.g.,an inner pressure that is substantially equal to ambient pressure) ofthe reservoir housing 204. This at least one vent 214 can be a passivevalve or an active valve.

The at least one vent 214 can have a variety of configurations. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, the at least one vent 214 can include oneor more holes that extend through a sidewall of reservoir housing 204and selectively allow air to pass into (or out of) the reservoir housing204. For example, the one or more holes can allow air to pass into thereservoir housing 2014 to increase pressure the pressure therein. Thisincrease in pressure effectively relieves any vacuum (negative pressure)that is created within the reservoir housing 204 itself as the volume ofthe inner container 202 decreases. That is, as the vaporizable material206 is withdrawn from the inner container 202, during use, an influx ofair can enter the reservoir housing 204 through the one or more holes toequalize the pressure within the reservoir housing 204 itself. Further,this influx of air can also aid in collapsing the inner container 202.

The one or more holes can have any suitable size that allows aneffective amount of air to enter the reservoir housing 204. That is, theone or more holes are sized such that they are not substantivelyrestrictive to airflow. For example, in some embodiments, the size ofthe one or more holes can effect at an influx rate of air thatcorresponds to the absorption rate of the wicking element 210. Further,in certain embodiments, the size of the one or more holes can be thesame, whereas in other embodiments, the size of the one or more holescan vary.

The at least one vent 214 can be positioned in a variety of locationsalong the reservoir housing 204, such as to achieve the pressureequalization. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the at least one vent 214is positioned proximal to a top end 203 of the reservoir housing 204. Assuch, an effective position of the at least one vent 214 can thereforedepend at least in part on the location of the wicking element 210relative thereto and the direction of the gravitational flow of thevaporizable material within the inner container 202.

While the vaporization chamber 208 can have a variety of configurations,the vaporization chamber 208, as shown in FIG. 2, is defined by twoopposing sidewalls 208 a, 208 b, one of which is the sidewall 204 b ofthe reservoir housing 204, and a bottom wall 208 c extendingtherebetween. As such, in this illustrated embodiment, the vaporizationchamber 208 extends co-planar with the reservoir housing 204. As shown,an airflow passageway 216 extends through the vaporization chamber 208.The airflow passageway 216 is configured to direct airflow 218 andaerosol through the vaporization chamber 208 and into the mouthpiece 230for inhalation by a user.

The airflow 218 enters the vaporization chamber 208 through the bottomwall 208 c as a user puffs on the mouthpiece 230. As such, the bottomwall 208 c is configured to allow airflow 218 to readily passtherethrough and into the vaporization chamber 208. While the bottomwall 208 c can have a variety of configurations, the bottom wall 208 cis perforated, as shown in FIG. 2. The perforations can be of anysuitable size that allows air to pass through the bottom wall 208 c. Incertain embodiments, the size of the perforations can prevent thevaporizable material 206 or aerosol to pass through the bottom wall 208c, and therefore prevent undesirable leakage into other portions of thedevice. The bottom wall 208 c can include any suitable number ofperforations, and therefore the number of perforations is not limited bywhat is illustrated in the FIG. 2. Alternatively or in addition, thebottom wall 208 c can be formed of an air permeable material. Thus, thebottom wall 208 c functions as an air inlet for the vaporization chamber208.

The bottom wall 208 c can also be configured to prevent airflow 218and/or aerosol within the vaporization chamber 208 from passingtherethrough. That is, the bottom wall 208 c can be configured as aone-way valve, and therefore only allow airflow 218 to pass through andinto the vaporization chamber 208. In some embodiments, any of theremaining walls of the vaporization chamber 208 can be perforated and/orformed of an air permeable material to allow air to pass into (or outof) the vaporization chamber 208 as desired.

In some embodiments, at least one wall of the vaporization chamber 208,such as sidewall 208 b which is also sidewall 204 b of the reservoirhousing 204, can be formed of or coated with a hydrophobic material soas to prevent any condensation from accumulating within the vaporizationchamber 208. As such, any water that may be present in the aerosol andairflow 218 can be carried through and out of the vaporization chamber208 as the user puffs on the mouthpiece 230.

A heating element or heater can be contained within the vaporizationchamber 208 and coupled to the wicking element 210. The wicking element210 is configured to provide the capillary action that draws thevaporizable material 206 from the inner container 202 of the reservoirhousing 204 to the vaporization chamber 208 to be vaporized into aerosolby heat generated by the heating element. The aerosol is then combinedwith airflow 218 traveling along the airflow passageway 216 forinhalation by a user.

While the wicking element 210 can be positioned anywhere along theairflow passageway 216, the wicking element 210, as shown in FIG. 2, ispositioned proximate to the bottom wall 208 c of the vaporizationchamber 208. The wicking element 210 can be any suitable porous materialthat allows the vaporizable material 206 to flow therethrough undercapillary pressure. For example, the wicking element 210 can be formedof one or more ceramic materials, such as silica. Alternatively or inaddition, the wicking element 210 can be a composite of two or morematerials, such as an inner material (e.g., graphite) surrounded by anouter material (e.g., a ceramic material).

In some embodiments, the wicking element 210 can be formed of a porousmaterial that includes a conductive material. For example, the ceramicmaterial of the wicking element 210 can be doped to include resistiveproperties. Such doping of the wick material (e.g., ceramic) canincrease the rate of heating of the wicking element 210, and thus therate of vaporization of the vaporizable material 206.

Some embodiments can include a wicking element 210 having across-section that varies along a length of the wicking element 210. Forexample, a part of the wicking element 210 that includes a smallercross-section compared to another part of the wicking element 210 can,for example, result in greater resistance against energy flow, therebyallowing faster evaporation and vaporization of vaporizable material206, such as for forming an aerosol for inhalation by a user. In someimplementations, at least one of the cross-section dimensions and thedensity of conductive material can vary along a length of the wickingelement 210, such as to achieve varying results (e.g., rate ofvaporization, rate of heating, etc.).

In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes two or morecartridge contacts such as, for example, two cartridge contact 232 a,232 b. The two or more cartridge contacts can be configured to couple,for example, with the receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b in order toform one or more electrical connections with the vaporizer device 100.The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow deliveryof electrical current to the heating element or heater in thevaporization chamber 208 and coupled to the wicking element 210. Asnoted, the wicking element 210 provides the capillary action for drawingthe vaporizable material 206 from the inner container 202 of thereservoir housing 204 into the vaporization chamber 208, where thevaporizable material 206 is vaporized into aerosol by heat generated bythe heating element. The aerosol is then combined with airflow 218traveling along the airflow passageway 216 for inhalation by a user. Thecircuit can also serve additional functions such as, for example,measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in determiningand/or controlling a temperature of the heating element based on athermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.

While the embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge have been discussed inthe context of a single inner container and a single wick, alternativeembodiments of the vaporizer cartridge can employ multiple innercontainers and/or multiple wicks. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, thevaporizer cartridge 300 can include a wicking element 310, such aswicking element 210 (FIG. 2), extending between two chambers 304 a, 304b of a reservoir housing 304, such as reservoir housing 204 (FIG. 2).Each chamber 304 a, and 304 b includes an inner container 302 a, 302 b,such as inner container 202 (FIG. 2). As further shown in FIG. 3, thevaporizer cartridge 300 includes a vaporization chamber 308, likevaporization chamber 208 (FIG. 2), that extends between the two chambers304 a, 304 b of the reservoir housing 304, thereby forming a central airpassageway 316. Moreover, FIG. 3 shows the vaporizer cartridge 300 asincluding a mouthpiece 312 and one or more cartridge contacts such as,for example, a first cartridge contact 314 a and a second cartridgecontact 314 b.

Terminology

For purposes of describing and defining the present teachings, it isnoted that unless indicated otherwise, the term “substantially” isutilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that maybe attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, orother representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized hereinto represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may varyfrom a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basicfunction of the subject matter at issue.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present.

Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the featuresand elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. Itwill also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references toa structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature mayhave portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting.For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at leastone of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list ofelements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of twoor more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitlycontradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intendedto mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any ofthe recited elements or features in combination with any of the otherrecited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one ofA and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intendedto mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similarinterpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more ofA, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in theclaims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that anunrecited feature or element is also permissible.

Spatially relative terms, such as “forward”, “rearward”, “under”,“below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein forease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship toanother element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It willbe understood that the spatially relative terms are intended toencompass different orientations of the device in use or operation inaddition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if adevice in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or“beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” theother elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” canencompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unlessspecifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements (including steps), these features/elementsshould not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicatesotherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/elementfrom another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussedbelow could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a secondfeature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/elementwithout departing from the teachings provided herein.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical valuesgiven herein should also be understood to include about or approximatelythat value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if thevalue “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Anynumerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-rangessubsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosedthat “less than or equal to” the value, “greater than or equal to thevalue” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, asappropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if thevalue “X” is disclosed the “less than or equal to X” as well as “greaterthan or equal to X” (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is alsodisclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application,data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data,represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combinationof the data points. For example, if a particular data point “10” and aparticular data point “15” are disclosed, it is understood that greaterthan, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, andequal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular unitsare also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11,12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of anumber of changes may be made to various embodiments without departingfrom the teachings herein. For example, the order in which variousdescribed method steps are performed may often be changed in alternativeembodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more methodsteps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device andsystem embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not inothers. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily forexemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope ofthe claims.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described hereincan be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware,software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or featurescan include implementation in one or more computer programs that areexecutable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including atleast one programmable processor, which can be special or generalpurpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device,and at least one output device. The programmable system or computingsystem may include clients and servers. A client and server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of client and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs,software, software applications, applications, components, or code,include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can beimplemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-orientedprogramming language, a functional programming language, a logicalprogramming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As usedherein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computerprogram product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magneticdiscs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmableprocessor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machineinstructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readablesignal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/ordata to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can storesuch machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as woulda non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or anyequivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternativelyor additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner,such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random accessmemory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may beutilized and derived there from, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe referred to herein individually or collectively by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarilylimit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventiveconcept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description. Use of the term “based on,”herein and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in parton,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desiredconfiguration. The implementations set forth in the foregoingdescription do not represent all implementations consistent with thesubject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examplesconsistent with aspects related to the described subject matter.Although a few variations have been described in detail herein, othermodifications or additions are possible. In particular, further featuresand/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein.For example, the implementations described herein can be directed tovarious combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed featuresand/or combinations and subcombinations of several further featuresdisclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows depicted in theaccompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily requirethe particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. Other implementations may be within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for a vaporizer device, the cartridgecomprising: a reservoir housing having at least one inner container thatis configured to hold a vaporizable material; and a vaporization chamberin communication with the reservoir housing and including at least onewicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the atleast one inner container to the vaporization chamber to be vaporized bya heating element; wherein the at least one inner container issubstantially sealed to the at least one wicking element, and whereinthe at least one inner container is configured to collapse as thevaporizable material is withdrawn therefrom.
 2. The cartridge of claim1, wherein the collapsing of the at least one inner containersubstantially prevents a headspace vacuum from forming as thevaporizable material is being withdrawn from the at least one innercontainer.
 3. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least onevent extending through a wall of the reservoir housing, the at least onevent allowing ambient air to pass therethrough and into the reservoirhousing such that a pressure equilibrium is substantially maintainedwithin the reservoir housing as the vaporizable material is beingwithdrawn from the at least one inner container.
 4. The cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the vaporization chamber is defined by at least onesidewall of the reservoir housing.
 5. The cartridge of claim 1, whereinthe vaporization chamber is defined by at least one wall that is coatedwith or formed of a hydrophobic material.
 6. The cartridge of claim 1,wherein the vaporization chamber is defined by at least one wall that isconfigured to allow at least a portion of airflow to pass therethroughand into the vaporization chamber.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1, whereinthe wicking element is formed of one or more porous materials.
 8. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the reservoir housing includes a firstreservoir chamber and a second reservoir chamber, and wherein each ofthe first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber has atleast one of the at least one inner container disposed therein.
 9. Thecartridge of claim 8, wherein the vaporization chamber is positionedbetween the first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber.10. A vaporizer device, comprising: a vaporizer body; a cartridge thatis selectively coupled to and removable from the vaporizer body, thecartridge including a reservoir housing having at least one innercontainer that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, and avaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir housing, thevaporization chamber including at least one wicking element configuredto draw the vaporizable material from the at least one inner containerto the vaporization chamber to be vaporized by a heating element;wherein the at least one inner container is substantially sealed to theat least one wicking element, and wherein the at least one innercontainer is configured to collapse as the vaporizable material iswithdrawn therefrom.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the vaporizerbody includes a power source.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein thecollapsing of the at least one inner container substantially prevents aheadspace vacuum from forming as the vaporizable material is beingwithdrawn from the at least one inner container.
 13. The device of claim10, further comprising at least one hole that extends through a wall ofthe reservoir housing to allow ambient air to pass therethrough and intothe reservoir housing such that a pressure equilibrium is substantiallymaintained within the reservoir housing as the vaporizable material isbeing withdrawn from the at least one inner container.
 14. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the vaporization chamber is defined by at least onesidewall of the reservoir housing.
 15. The device of claim 10, whereinthe vaporization chamber is defined by at least one wall that is coatedwith or formed of a hydrophobic material.
 16. The device of claim 10,wherein the vaporization chamber is defined by at least one wall that isconfigured to allow at least a portion of airflow to pass therethroughand into the vaporization chamber.
 17. The device of claim 10, whereinthe wicking element is formed of one or more porous materials.
 18. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the reservoir housing includes a firstreservoir chamber and a second reservoir chamber, and wherein each ofthe first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber has atleast one of the at least one inner container disposed therein.
 19. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the vaporization chamber is positionedbetween the first reservoir chamber and the second reservoir chamber.